U.S. patent number 9,038,305 [Application Number 13/923,044] was granted by the patent office on 2015-05-26 for quick-detach accessory base mount for an accessory rail.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Torrey Pines Logic, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Leo Volfson. Invention is credited to Leo Volfson.
United States Patent |
9,038,305 |
Volfson |
May 26, 2015 |
Quick-detach accessory base mount for an accessory rail
Abstract
In some aspects a quick-detach (QD) accessory base mount
includes a body. The body includes an accessory engagement
interface configured to engage an accessory and a rail engagement
interface defining a channel adapted to receive an accessory rail.
A rail clamp is carried by the body and is moveable to selectively
clamp the body to the accessory rail. A mounting arm extends
outwardly from the body and is carried to rotate relative to the
body between a first position and a second position. A cam is
configured to support the rail clamp to grip the accessory rail and
to clamp the body to the accessory rail when the mounting arm is in
the first position and to release the rail clamp from gripping the
accessory rail when the mounting arm is in the second position.
Inventors: |
Volfson; Leo (San Diego,
CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Volfson; Leo |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Torrey Pines Logic, Inc. (San
Diego, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
52109739 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/923,044 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2013 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20140373329 A1 |
Dec 25, 2014 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
42/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G
11/003 (20130101); F16M 13/02 (20130101); F41G
11/004 (20130101); Y10T 29/49863 (20150115); Y10T
29/49826 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
F41C
27/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;42/127,90,111,112,124,125,128,148,119 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Abdosh; Samir
Assistant Examiner: Cooper; John D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fish & Richardson P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A quick-detach accessory base mount, comprising: a body
comprising: an accessory engagement interface configured to engage
an accessory; a rail engagement interface defining a channel
adapted to receive an accessory rail; a rail clamp carried by the
body and moveable to selectively clamp the body to the accessory
rail; a mounting arm coupled with a pivot shaft, the mounting arm
extending outwardly from the body and carried to rotate relative to
the body between a first position and a second position; a preload
screw threaded onto the pivot shaft at the end of the pivot shaft
opposite the mounting arm and the rail clamp; a cam configured to
support the rail clamp to grip the accessory rail and clamp the
body to the accessory rail when the mounting arm is in the first
position and release the rail clamp from gripping the accessory
rail when the mounting arm is in the second position; and an
interlock configured to selectively restrict rotation of the
mounting arm between the first position and the second position,
the interlock comprising a depressible interlock button depressible
to a position allowing rotation of the mounting arm between the
first position and the second position and springily biased to
extend outward from the body to a position blocking rotation of the
mounting arm between the first position and the second position and
an interlock set screw coupled to the depressible interlock button,
the interlock set screw rotatable to adjust the outward extension
of the depressible interlock button from the body.
2. The accessory base mount of claim 1, where the cam comprises a
first portion defined by the mounting arm and a second portion
defined by the rail clamp.
3. The accessory base mount of claim 2, where the second portion of
the cam comprises a surface configured to prohibit rotation of the
mounting arm beyond at least one rotational endpoint defined by the
first position and the second position.
4. The accessory base mount of claim 1, where the channel is
defined by the body as a first wall and a second wall, the first
wall comprising a first engagement surface adapted to grip a first
side of the accessory rail and the second wall comprising a resting
surface adapted to support a portion of a second side of the
accessory rail.
5. The accessory base mount of claim 4, where the rail clamp
comprises a second engagement surface adapted to grip the second
side of the accessory rail.
6. The accessory base mount of claim 1, wherein the channel is
narrower at an end.
7. The accessory base mount of claim 1, where the rail clamp is
springily biased in an ungripped position.
8. The accessory base mount of claim 1, wherein the preload screw
is rotatable to adjust the outward extension of the mounting arm
from the body and a springily-biased position of the rail
clamp.
9. The accessory base mount of claim 8, comprising a preload grub
screw, the preload grub screw rotatable between an engaged position
to prevent rotation of the preload screw around the pivot shaft and
an unengaged position allowing rotation of the preload screw around
the pivot shaft.
10. The accessory base mount of claim 1, comprising a slot
engagement bar for engaging with a slot configured into the
accessory rail to prevent lateral movement of the body along an
axis transverse to the slot.
11. A quick-detach accessory base mount having: a cam that supports
a rail clamp to grip an accessory rail when a mounting arm coupled
with a pivot shaft is in a first position and to release the rail
clamp when the mounting arm is in a second position; a preload
screw threaded onto the pivot shaft at the end of the pivot shaft
opposite the mounting arm and the rail clamp; and an interlock
configured to selectively restrict rotation of the mounting arm
between the first position and the second position, the interlock
comprising a depressible interlock button depressible to a position
allowing rotation of the mounting arm between the first position
and the second position and springily biased to extend outward from
a body carrying the interlock to a position blocking rotation of
the mounting arm between the first position and the second position
and an interlock set screw coupled to the depressible interlock
button, the interlock set screw rotatable to adjust the outward
extension of the depressible interlock button from the body.
12. The accessory base mount of claim 11, having a rail engagement
interface that receives the accessory rail into a channel narrower
at one end.
13. The accessory base mount of claim 11, wherein a cam
configuration prohibits rotation of the mounting arm beyond
rotational endpoints defined by the first position and the second
position.
14. A method for attaching an accessory to an accessory rail,
comprising: generating a clamping preload with respect to the
accessory rail using a preload screw threaded onto a pivot shaft
coupled to a mounting arm, the preload screw at the end of the
pivot shaft opposite the mounting arm and a rail clamp; gripping
the accessory rail with the rail clamp supported by a cam in
response to rotation of the mounting arm to a first position;
selectively restricting rotation of the mounting arm between the
first position and a second position with an interlock, the
interlock comprising a depressible interlock button depressible to
a position allowing rotation of the mounting arm between the first
position and the second position and springily biased to extend
outward from a body carrying the interlock to a position blocking
rotation of the mounting arm between the first position and the
second position and an interlock set screw coupled to the
depressible interlock button, the interlock set screw rotatable to
adjust the outward extension of the depressible interlock button
from the body; and releasing the rail clamp in response to rotation
of the mounting arm to the second position.
15. The method of claim 14, comprising depressing the interlock
button to permit rotation of the mounting arm between the first and
the second position.
16. The method of claim 14, comprising receiving the accessory rail
into a rail engagement interface channel narrower at one end.
17. The method of claim 14, comprising configuring the cam to
prohibit rotation of the mounting arm beyond rotational endpoints
defined by the first position and the second position.
Description
BACKGROUND
The specification relates to a quick-detach accessory base mount
for rapid attachment/detachment of an accessory device to an
accessory rail ("rail"). A rail is commonly used on a mounting
apparatuses such as firearms to provide a mounting platform for
various accessory devices. Other mounting apparatuses, such as
tripods, camera stands, and other things have these rails.
Accessories often include cameras, optical scopes, telescopes,
lights, laser aiming/indicator modules, backup weapon sights,
foregrips, bipods, and night-vision equipment.
Attachment/detachment of an accessory attached with
rigid-attachment-type methods, such as ring, bracket, and/or screw
fasteners, can be time consuming and complicated due to a need for
tools and/or repetitive actions to perform the
attachment/detachment of the accessory from a mounting apparatus.
Use of other attachment methods, such as a rotating surface that
directly engages and secures an accessory to a rail surface can,
over time, chafe a rail's finish and damage the rail.
SUMMARY
In a general aspect, an accessory base mount includes a
cam-supported rail clamp moveable to selectively clamp the
accessory base mount to an accessory rail ("rail").
In some aspects, a quick-detach (QD) accessory base mount ("QD
mount") includes a body. The body includes an accessory engagement
interface configured to engage an accessory and a rail engagement
interface defining a channel adapted to receive a rail. A rail
clamp is carried by the body and is moveable to selectively clamp
the body to the rail. A mounting arm extends outwardly from the
body and is carried to rotate relative to the body between a first
position and a second position. A cam is configured to support the
rail clamp to grip the rail and to clamp the body to the rail when
the mounting arm is in the first position and to release the rail
clamp from gripping the rail when the mounting arm is in the second
position.
Implementations may include one or more of the following features.
The cam comprises a first portion defined by the mounting arm and a
second portion defined by the rail clamp. The channel is defined by
the body as a first wall and a second wall, the first wall
comprising a first engagement surface adapted to grip a first side
of the rail and the second wall comprising a resting surface
adapted to support a portion of a second side of the rail. The rail
clamp comprises a second engagement surface adapted to grip the
second side of the rail. The channel is narrower at an end. The
rail clamp is springily biased in an ungripped position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. An interlock
configured to selectively restrict rotation of the mounting arm
between the first position and the second position. The interlock
comprising a depressible interlock button springily biased to
extend outward from the body to a position blocking rotation of the
mounting arm between the first position and the second position and
depressible to a position allowing rotation of the mounting arm
between the first position and the second position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. An interlock set
screw coupled to the depressible interlock button, the interlock
set screw rotatable to adjust the outward extension of the
depressible interlock button from the body. A preload screw coupled
with a pivot shaft, the pivot shaft coupled with the mounting arm
and the preload screw rotatable to adjust the outward extension of
the mounting arm from the body and a springily-biased position of
the rail clamp.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include the following feature. A slot engagement bar for engaging
with a slot configured into the rail to prevent lateral movement of
the body along an axis transverse to the slot.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include the following feature. The second portion of the cam
comprises a surface configured to prohibit rotation of the mounting
arm beyond at least one rotational endpoint defined by the first
position and the second position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. A cam supports a
rail clamp to grip a rail when a mounting arm is in a first
position and to release the rail clamp when the mounting arm is in
a second position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. An interlock
selectively restricts rotation of the mounting arm between the
first position and the second position. A rail engagement interface
receives the rail into a channel narrower at one end. A cam
configuration prohibits rotation of the mounting arm beyond
rotational endpoints defined by the first position and the second
position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. A rail is gripped
with a rail clamp supported by a cam in response to rotation of a
mounting arm to a first position. The rail clamp is released in
response to rotation of the mounting arm to a second position.
Additionally or alternatively, these and other implementations may
include one or more of the following features. Rotation of the
mounting arm between the first and the second position is blocked
using an interlock. The rail is received into a rail engagement
interface channel narrower at one end. The cam is configured to
prohibit rotation of the mounting arm beyond rotational endpoints
defined by the first position and the second position.
Implementations of these and other aspects may include one or more
of the following advantages. The QD mount can allow rapid
attachment/detachment of accessories to a rail. Attachment can be
extremely precise and preserve, for example, an optical scope zero,
a laser aiming point, and backup weapon sight alignment. Operation
of the QD mount can be performed with two fingers, for example a
thumb and forefinger, and the operating hand used to grasp and
remove the QD mount and attached accessory from the rail. The QD
mount allows a preload to be adjusted to compensate for mechanical
tolerance variations between different type rails. The QD mount
clamps to a rail with a squeezing action without causing chafing of
the rail finish caused by other QD mounts that apply a securing
force to the rail using a surface that rubs against the rail. Other
advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter of
this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and
the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of
the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the
drawings, and the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a quick-detach (QD) accessory base
mount ("QD mount") attached to an accessory rail on a firearm.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example QD mount with a clamping
mechanism according to an implementation.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the example QD mount 200
of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4A is a detail perspective view of a mounting arm cam surface
of the example QD mount 200.
FIG. 4B is a detail perspective view of a rail clamp cam surface
and rotation prohibiting surface of the example QD mount 200.
FIG. 5A is a side view of the QD mount 200 with the mounting arm in
a first (gripping) position.
FIG. 5B is a side view of the QD mount 200 with the mounting arm in
a second (released) position.
FIG. 6A is a bottom view of the QD mount 200 showing the position
of the rail clamp in relation to the mounting arm in the first
(gripping) position.
FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the QD mount 200 showing the position
of the rail clamp in relation to the mounting arm in the second
(released) position.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings
indicate like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is an illustration of a mounted quick-detach (QD) accessory
base mount 100 ("QD mount"). The QD mount 102 with an attached
accessory 104 is mounted to an accessory rail ("rail") 106 which is
attached to a firearm 108. In other implementations, the QD mount
102 can be attached to a mounting apparatus other than a firearm
108 with a rail 106. Other mounting apparatuses can include a
tripod, a fence, a building, or a vehicle. The QD mount 102 acts as
a mounting interface between an accessory 104 and the rail 106.
The accessory 104 can be any type of device mounted on a particular
mounting apparatus. For example, accessory 104 can include cameras,
optical scopes, telescopes, lights, laser aiming/indicator modules,
backup weapon sights, foregrips, bipods, and night-vision
equipment.
A QD mount 102 can typically be attached/detached in a relatively
quick manner from a rail. Attachment/detachment is often performed
through the use of levers or thumbscrews.
For the purposes of this disclosure, a rail 106 is a structure,
such as a bracket, for mounting an accessory to a mounting
apparatus. In some implementations, the rail 106 has a T-shaped
cross-section with a smaller lower profile adjacent to a particular
mounting apparatus (e.g., firearm 108) and a larger upper profile
apart from the mounting apparatus and adjacent to an accessory 104.
In certain implementations, the T-shaped cross-section has a
sloping/angled or curved surface that spans between the smaller
lower profile and the larger upper profile of the rail 106.
Examples of a T-shaped rail 106 can include a WEAVER or PICATINNY
(also known as a MIL-STD-1913, STANAG 2324, or "tactical" rail). In
other implementations, the cross-section of rail 106 can be round,
oval, square, rectangular, flat or other shape. In some
implementations, the rail 106 can be flexible, such as a
rope/cable, flexible rod, or wire. In some implementations, a rail
106 can include one or more spacing slots perpendicular to the
length of the rail. The one or more spacing slots can be used to
engage a bar, pin, screw, protrusion, or the like associated with
the QD mount 102 to prevent lateral movement of the QD mount 102
along an axis transverse to the slot. In other implementations,
friction can prevent movement of the QD mount 102 along the rail
106. Generally accessories are mounted to the rail 106 either by
sliding on from one end of the rail 106 or by attachment from the
sides of the rail 106 and securing the QD mount 102 using levers or
thumbscrews to secure the QD mount to the rail 106.
In some implementations, QD mount 102 can be repetitively secured
to the rail 106 by a clamping mechanism that squeezes the rail to
provide rapid attachment/detachment and precise/sturdy clamping of
the QD mount 102 to the rail 106 without chafing of the rail's 106
finish and/or other damage (such as gouging, scratching, etc.). The
following description relates to an implementation of a QD mount
102 with such a clamping mechanism.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example QD mount 200 with a
clamping mechanism according to an implementation. The QD mount 200
includes a body 202 defining a rail engagement interface 204 and an
accessory engagement interface 208.
The rail engagement interface 204 defines a channel in the body 202
to receive a rail 106. The channel is defined by the body 202 as a
first wall 206a and a second wall 206b and is oriented parallel to
the length of the rail 106. The first wall 206a defines a first
engagement surface 207a adapted to grip a first side of a rail
106.
In the illustrated implementation, the first engagement surface
207a is configured as a V-shaped, angled surface where the angle of
the first engagement surface 207a matches the angles formed by the
chamfers of the larger upper portion of a first side of rail 106 to
grip the first side of the rail 106. In other implementations, the
first engagement surface 207a can be configured to grip other rail
shapes, for example a rail with curves, such as a round rod, or a
rail with square sides.
The second wall 206b defines a resting surface 207b adapted to rest
against a portion of a second side of a rail 106. The resting
surface 207b angle matches an angle of chamfer formed by the
surface of the second side of the rail 106 that rests against the
resting surface 207b. In some implementations, the angle formed by
the surface of first engagement surface 207a adjacent to the
surface 205 (refer to FIGS. 3 and 6A/6B for detail as to surface
205) between the first wall 206a and the second wall 206b is
similar to the angle formed by the resting surface 207b relative to
surface 205. The similarity of angles serves to equalize the
loading force on the surface of the first engagement surface 207a
adjacent to the surface 205 and the resting surface 207b.
Configurations of the rail engagement interface supporting a rail
106 with dissimilar chamfer angles on the first and/or second side
of the rail 106 is also envisioned. A straight wall parallel to the
first wall 206a is adjacent to the resting surface 207b and does
not contact the second side of the rail 106. In other
implementations, resting surface 207b and/or the second engagement
surface (see FIGS. 3 and 6A/B) is configured similar to the first
engagement surface to grip other rail shapes (described above).
The accessory engagement interface 208 is configured to engage an
accessory, for example accessory 104 as illustrated in FIG. 1. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the accessory engagement interface 208 is
configured as a groove forming parallel opposing walls. The
accessory engagement interface 208 groove is oriented parallel to
the rail engagement interface 204. The accessory engagement
interface is illustrated with two screw holes 210. The accessory
engagement interface 208 receives an accessory interface and screws
are threaded through the screw holes 210 and into the accessory
interface. The screws are tightened to secure the accessory
interface to the body 202. In other implementations, the accessory
engagement interface 208 can be configured in any manner to support
various configurations of accessory interfaces.
As shown, the body 202 also carries a mounting arm 212 and rail
clamp 214. The mounting arm 212 extends outwardly from the body 202
and is carried to rotate relative to the body 202 between a first
position and a second position. The mounting arm 212 is configured
to include a paddle-shaped structure to manipulate/rotate with a
finger or other object. In other implementations, the mounting arm
212 can be configured to form other shapes, for example a bar/lever
or a thumbscrew-type twist attachment.
Rotation of the mounting arm 212 between the first position and the
second position causes the rail clamp 214 to move inwardly toward
the resting surface 207b (gripped position) and outwardly away from
the resting surface 207b (ungripped position), respectively. The
rail clamp 214 forms a second engagement surface (see FIGS. 3 and
6A/B) to grip the second side of the rail 106.
A cam (see FIGS. 3 and 4A/B for additional detail) is configured to
support the rail clamp 214 to selectively grip the second side of
the rail 106 and to clamp the body 202 to the rail 106 when the
mounting arm 212 is in the first position and to release the rail
clamp 214 from gripping the second side of the rail 106 when the
mounting arm 212 is in the second position.
The body also carries an interlock configured to selectively
restrict rotation of the mounting arm 212 between the first and the
second position. As shown, the interlock is configured as a
cylindrical, depressible interlock button ("button") 216, springily
biased to extend outward from the body 202 into a position blocking
rotation of the mounting arm 212 unless depressed to allow the
mounting arm 212 to rotate past the button 216. In other
implementations, the interlock can have various other
configurations. For example, the interlock could be a ball bearing
springily biased outwardly from the body to restrict rotation of
the mounting arm 212 unless sufficient rotational force on the
mounting arm 212 is applied to overcome the spring bias of the ball
bearing or the ball bearing is depressed. Other interlock
configurations could include, for example, a springily biased pin,
lever, or other structure to restrict rotational motion of the
mounting arm 212. In some implementations, the illustrated button
216 could have a portion of the "top" edge of the front surface
milled away at an angle to allow the mounting arm 212 to be rotated
to the first position without a separate positive action to depress
the button 216. In this implementation, the mounting arm 212 would
depress the button 216 as it contacts the angled surface configured
into the button 216 and the button would lock into an outward
biased position once the mounting arm 212 cleared the button 216.
Rotation of the mounting arm 212 back to the second position would
require a positive action to depress the button 216 in order to
allow the mounting arm 212 to clear the button 216 and to rotate
into the second position. Operation of the mounting arm 212 and the
button 216 is designed to be typically performed with one hand
allowing for rapid attachment/detachment of the QD mount 200 from a
rail 106.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view 300 of the example QD mount
200 of FIG. 2. The illustrated exploded QD mount 200 includes a
slot engagement bar 302, a mounting arm assembly, and an interlock
assembly.
The slot engagement bar 302 is integrally formed from the body 202
into a rectangular shape of a size to engage with a slot formed
into a rail 106. When engaged with the rail 106 slot, the slot
engagement bar 302 prevents lateral movement of the QD mount 200 on
the rail 106 along an axis transverse to the slot. In other
implementations, the slot engagement bar can be a separately formed
component that is attached to the QD mount 200, for example by
pinning, welding, adhesive, or the like. In other implementations,
the slot engagement bar can be omitted from QD mount 200.
The mounting arm assembly includes a mounting arm 212, a pivot
shaft 213, a rail clamp 214, a rail clamp bias spring 304, a
preload screw 306, and a preload grub screw 308. The mounting arm
212 is coupled with a pivot shaft 213. In some implementations, the
mounting arm 212 can be integrally formed as part of the mounting
arm 212. In other implementations, the mounting arm 212 can be
attached to the pivot shaft 213 by means of a pin, threading, a
weld, adhesive, or in some other manner. The illustrated pivot
shaft 213 is shown threaded at the end opposite to the mounting arm
212. The preload screw 306 threads onto the pivot shaft 213 at the
threaded end of the pivot shaft 213 opposite the mounting arm 212.
The rail clamp 214 receives the pivot shaft 213. The pivot shaft
213 passes through the rail clamp bias spring 304. The mounting arm
assembly slot 310 in body 202 receives the pivot shaft into a hole
formed through the body (indicated by a dashed witness line), and
the preload screw 306 attached to the pivot shaft in pivot shaft
hole 311 (indicated by a dashed witness line).
The rail clamp bias spring 304 engages the mounting arm assembly
slot 310 on one side and the underside of the rail clamp 214 on the
other side and provides an outward spring bias toward the mounting
arm 212 (ungripped position). The mounting arm assembly slot 310
limits the rail clamp bias spring 403 from traveling along the
pivot shaft 213 into the body 202. For example, a hole for the
pivot shaft 213 formed in the mounting arm assembly slot 310 can be
configured to conform to the pivot shaft 213 to permit pivot shaft
213 rotation but to prevent the rail clamp bias spring 304 from
travelling along the pivot shaft 213 beyond the formed hole for the
pivot shaft 213. In some implementations, the rail clamp 214 can
have an indentation, cutout, or other structure to more securely
hold the rail clamp bias spring 304.
The preload grub screw hole 309 (indicated by a dashed witness
line) receives the preload grub screw 308. Preload grub screw hole
309 is configured to allow the preload grub screw 308 to physically
rotate between an engaged position, for example screwed further
into the body 202, contacting the preload screw 306 and an
unengaged position, for example screwed outward toward the surface
of the body 202. When the preload grub screw 308 is in the engaged
position, friction and/or mechanical contact between the preload
grub screw 308 and the preload screw 306 prevents the preload screw
306 from rotating. When the preload grub screw 308 is in the
unengaged position, the preload screw 306 can be rotated.
Rail clamp 214 forms a second engagement surface 215 to engage the
second side of a rail 106. In some implementations, the second
engagement surface is similar in configuration to a shorter portion
of the above-described first engagement surface 207a and grips the
second side of a rail 106 in a manner similar to the first
engagement surface 207a.
Rotation of the preload screw 306 permits adjustment of the outward
extension of the mounting arm 212 and the rail clamp 214 either in
an outward or inward direction relative to the body 202. This
adjustment provides a clamping preload to be adjusted between the
mounting arm 212, rail clamp 214, and a particular rail 106. The
clamping preload adjustment allows for compensation related to
mechanical tolerance variations between different rails 106 and/or
for a setting a desired clamping/squeezing force between the QD
mount 200 and the particular rail 106. For example, adjusting the
outward extension of the mounting arm 212 and rail clamp 214 to a
more outward position would decrease the clamping preload and a
clamping/squeezing force on the particular rail 106. Adjusting the
outward extension of the mounting arm 212 and rail clamp 214 to a
more inward position would increase the clamping preload and the
clamping/squeezing force on the particular rail 106.
The mounting arm 212 and rail clamp 214 form a first and second
portion of a cam, respectively, configured to support the rail
clamp 214 to grip the rail 106 and clamp the body 202 to the rail
106 when the mounting arm 212 is in a first position (gripped
position) and to release the rail clamp 214 from gripping the rail
106 when the mounting arm 212 is in the second position (ungripped
position). Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, FIG. 4A is a detailed
perspective view 400a of a mounting arm 212 cam surface 402a of the
example QD mount 200. As shown, the cam surface 402a forms a ramped
surface and a flat surface. The flat surface is parallel to the
plane forming the base of the ramped surface. FIG. 4B is a detailed
perspective view 400b of a rail clamp cam surface 402b and rotation
prohibiting surface 408b of the example QD mount 200. As shown, the
rail clamp cam surface 402b forms a ramped surface along the
perimeter of a hole formed in the rail clamp 214. The hole receives
the pivot shaft 213 and the pivot shaft 213 turns within the hole.
The flat surface of cam surface 402a engages with the rail clamp
cam surface 402b. In other implementations, the ramped surface of
cam surface 402a can engage the rail clamp cam surface 402b. In
still other implementations, both the ramped surface and the flat
surface of cam surface 402a can engage the rail clamp cam surface
402b. As the mounting arm 212 is rotated toward the first position
(indicated by 406b), the flat surface of cam surface 402a slides
along rail clamp cam surface 402b from 404b to 406b (lower ramp
surface to higher ramp surface of the rail clamp cam surface 402b),
forces the rail clamp 214 to travel along the axis of the pivot
shaft 213 inwardly relative to the rail clamp bias spring 304 bias.
The inward movement of the rail clamp 214 compresses the rail clamp
bias spring 304 and squeezes the rail clamp 214 second engagement
surface 215 against the second side of a rail 106 to grip the
second side of the rail 106. Rotating the mounting arm 212 toward
the second position (indicated by 404b) allows the rail clamp to
travel outwardly along the pivot shaft 213 axis relative to the
bias of the rail clamp bias spring 304. The outward movement of the
rail clamp 214 allows the rail clamp bias spring 304 to decompress.
The outward movement of the rail clamp 214 releases the rail clamp
214 second engagement surface 215 grip on the second side of the
rail 106 permitting the QD mount 200 to be unclamped from the rail
106.
The rotation prohibiting surface 408b of FIG. 4B is adapted to
prohibit the mounting arm 212 from rotating beyond an endpoint
defined by at least the second position (indicated by 404b). If the
mounting arm 212 is rotated so that the cam surface 402a slides
back toward 404b, surface 404a will engage the shelf formed by
rotation prohibiting surface 408b and prohibit the mounting arm 212
from continuing to rotate past the position defined by 404b. In
some implementations, surface 404b is perpendicular to the flat
surface of cam surface 402a. In some implementations, a surface (or
equivalent structure) (not illustrated) can be formed into the
ramped surface of cam surface 402a to engage rotation prohibiting
surface 408b at position 406b to prevent the mounting arm 212 from
rotating past the first position. In some implementations, the
rotation prohibiting surface 408b can be omitted.
Returning to FIG. 3, the interlock assembly includes a button 216,
an interlock bias spring 312, and an interlock set screw 314. The
interlock set screw 314 is shown as threaded on one end. The
interlock set screw hole (indicated with dashed witness line)
receives the interlock set screw 314. The interlock set screw hole
is formed through the body 202. The button 216 is configured with a
threaded hole adapted to be screwed onto the interlock set screw
314 threads. The interlock assembly hole 316 receives the button
216. The interlock bias spring 312 provides an outward spring bias
to the button 216. In some implementations, the interlock bias
spring 312 is captured by the interlock set screw 314 between the
button and the floor of the interlock assembly hole 316. In other
implementations, an indentation, cutout, or other structure is
formed in the button 216 and/or the interlock assembly hole 316 to
separately capture the interlock bias spring 312. In the
implementation where the spring is captured apart from the
interlock set screw 314, the separately captured interlock bias
spring 312 can serve to prevent rotation of the button 216. This
can be useful in instances where a surface of the button 216 is
configured, as described above in relation to FIG. 2, to allow the
mounting arm 212 to automatically compress the button 216 when
rotated into the first position. In the implementation where the
interlock bias spring 312 is captured by the interlock set screw
314, the interlock assembly hole 316 can limit the interlock bias
spring 312 from traveling along the interlock set screw 314 into
the body 202. For example, a hole for the interlock set screw 314
formed in the interlock assembly hole 316 can be configured to
conform to the interlock set screw 314. The interlock assembly hole
316 can receive the interlock bias spring 312 captured by the
interlock set screw 314 shaft and prevent the interlock bias spring
312 from travelling along the interlock set screw 314 shaft beyond
the formed hole for the interlock set screw 314. In the
implantation, where the interlock bias spring 312 is captured by
the interlock set screw 314, a groove/channel can be formed into
the button 216 to engage with a protrusion (not illustrated)
associated with the interlock assembly hole 316 to prevent rotation
of the button 216. The protrusion can be either integrally formed
as part of the interlock assembly hole 316 or created, for example
the body 202 can receive a pin, screw, or other structure into the
interlock assembly hole. For example, a hole formed in the second
wall perpendicular to the interlock set screw 314 shaft axis can
receive a roll pin that engages a channel formed into the button
216.
Rotating the interlock set screw adjusts the outward extension of
the button 216 from the body 202. A greater outward extension
increases the distance/effort needed to depress the button 216 and
to rotate the mounting arm 212, whereas a lesser outward extension
decreases the distance/effort needed to depress the button 216 to
allow the mounting arm 212 to rotate. In some implementations, an
interlock grub screw (not illustrated) similar to the preload grub
screw 308 described above can be configured similarly to
allow/prohibit the rotation of the interlock set screw 314.
In some implementations, the rail engagement interface is narrower
at one end. For example, the endpoints formed by the first
engagement surface 207a of the first wall 206a can be formed to be
slightly closer to the second wall than the midpoint of the first
engagement surface 207a formed by the first wall 206a. This
configuration provides a stable "tri-point"-type engagement
configuration with a rail 106.
In FIG. 3, screw holes 210 are shown as countersunk to the surface
of rail engagement interface 204. The countersunk surface permits
screw heads to remain at least flush with the surface 205 of rail
engagement interface 204 so as to not interfere with an engagement
of a rail 106 with the QD mount 200. In some implementations, screw
holes 210 can be omitted. In some implementations, an accessory
interface can receive screws to be screwed into holes threaded into
the accessory engagement interface 208. Other methods of attaching
an accessory to the QD mount 200 will be apparent to those of skill
in the art.
FIG. 5A is a side view 500a of the QD mount 200 with the mounting
arm 212 in a first (gripping) position. As shown, mounting arm 212
is underneath and resting against the button 216. In some
implementations, it is not necessary for the mounting arm 212 to
rest against the button 216. The button 216 prevents the mounting
arm 212 from being rotated counterclockwise past the button 216
without the button 216 being depressed far enough to allow the
mounting arm 212 to clear the button 216.
FIG. 5B is a side view 500b of the QD mount 200 with the mounting
arm 212 in a second (released) position. The button 216 prevents
the mounting arm 212 from being rotated clockwise past the button
216 without the button 216 being depressed far enough to allow the
mounting arm 212 to clear the button 216. As described above in
relation to FIG. 2, in some implementations, the illustrated button
216 could have a portion of the "top" edge of the front surface
milled away at an angle to allow the mounting arm 212 to be rotated
to the first position without a separate positive action to depress
the button 216. In this implementation, the mounting arm 212 would
depress the button 216 as it contacts the angled surface configured
into the button 216 and the button would lock into an outward
biased position once the mounting arm 212 cleared the button 216.
Rotation of the mounting arm 212 back to the second position would
require a positive action to depress the button 216 in order to
allow the mounting arm 212 to clear the button 216 and to rotate
into the second position. Operation of the mounting arm 212 and the
button 216 is designed to be typically performed with one hand
allowing for rapid attachment/detachment of the QD mount 200 from a
rail 106.
FIG. 6A is a bottom view 600a of the QD mount 200 showing the
position of the rail clamp 214 in relation to the mounting arm 212
in the first (gripping) position. Due to the orientation of the
illustrated QD mount 200, rail clamp 214 is in a leftward position
in relation to the mounting arm due to the cam action of mounting
arm 212 and the rail clamp 214. Here, the second engagement surface
215 is in a position to engage a second side of a rail 106 if
engaged with the QD mount 200.
FIG. 6B is a bottom view 600b of the QD mount 200 showing the
position of the rail clamp 214 in relation to the mounting arm 212
in the second (released) position. Due to the orientation of the
illustrated QD mount 200, rail clamp 214 is in a rightward position
in relation to the mounting arm 212 due to the cam action of
mounting arm 212 and the rail clamp 214. Here, the second
engagement surface 215 is in a disengaged position from a second
side of a rail 106 if engaged with the QD mount 200.
The foregoing description is provided in the context of one or more
particular implementations. Various modifications, alterations, and
permutations of the disclosed implementations can be made. For
example, although the foregoing QD mount has been described in
terms of attachment to a rail, as will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art, the QD mount can be adapted to clamp to any
accessory mounting surface in a manner consistent with this
disclosure. In addition, the QD mount can be adapted to provide
various accessory engagement interface configurations with which to
engage an accessory. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended
to be limited only to the described and/or illustrated
implementations, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent
with the principles and features disclosed herein.
* * * * *